I got GMRS because of where I live there is no cell service so if something happened to my vehicle or whatever I had no way to contact home. I now have a base station and mobile set ups in both vehicles and a crazy amount of hts. You have to drive 8 miles in any direction to get cell service so GMRS is an everyday use for me and my family and I’m lucky enough to have access to 3 repeaters in my area.
I also like that in your situation a friend or family member could stop at Walmart and pick up an FRS handheld and still be able to communicate with your GMRS system. They won't have the range you do, but at least they can check in or ask for directions.
I think you are spot on with your thinking that everyone needs a gmrs radio, allowing others to talk in an emergency. I'm not sure there will be cell phone connection in a man made emergency. In a man made emergency, cell phones will be the first to go.
Even just traveling around I will lose my cellphone signal. If I have to leave my home having a radio that I can talk to my family with will make life easier and give me better peace of mind knowing they are alright.
Ive got my ham license and gmrs license too. But like you said, not many ham operators around me. I use my gmrs on the farm, hunting and alot of other situations. Not to mention when we lose power, which happens frequently...
I always keep a radio in my vehicle when I'm camping. I also make sure to turn it on at night and scan through the channels for a while just to make sure no one is lost and looking for help.
I have a Baofeng UV-5R That I use to monitor maritime operations here in Wellington NZ, as well as maritime weather, and other channels that have not yet gone digital. As I don't have a HAM license, its use if fairly limited for me, but can be used in emergency situations by unlicensed people. I'm still not sure if I can truly justify getting it, but there you go.
I have three UV-5R radios that I have programmed for emergency use. If things go south I will grab the Ham radios instead of the GMRS. For right now the GMRS will do everything I need them to do and I can stay 100% legal but like I said once things get too far gone the Ham radios will be my main radios.
Am I correct in understanding that a cell phone repeater tower is just as susceptible to the power going out as anyone? Wouldn't that render the primary function of a cell phone useless for information?
If the power goes out across a large area, there won't be any service from any available towers. However, if you can get a signal from other towers further away you can still get basic information. The main advantage of radios is they will work radio to radio without a tower. The range is extremely limited compared to using a cellphone but it's better than nothing.
Okay, perfect timing!!! My daughter wanted to know what I wanted for Father's day. I told her that I wanted that kind of radio.! So I am waiting for them to come in. What did you have to do to get your license? Thanks
To get a GMRS license you just have to pay the $35. It's just like a fishing license only it's good for 10 years. The hardest part is getting through the FCC website. A UA-cam channel I've been watching a lot lately has a blog post about how to get the license. The walkthrough is a little dated but it really helps a ton. www.notarubicon.com/how-to-get-a-gmrs-license-easy-guide-to-gmrs-licensing-on-the-fcc-website/ This link to his website that helped me get my license.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #30 ДВА В ОДНОМ [Один человек]• Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nrXy15orKhY/mqdefault.jpg)
I got GMRS because of where I live there is no cell service so if something happened to my vehicle or whatever I had no way to contact home.
I now have a base station and mobile set ups in both vehicles and a crazy amount of hts.
You have to drive 8 miles in any direction to get cell service so GMRS is an everyday use for me and my family and I’m lucky enough to have access to 3 repeaters in my area.
I also like that in your situation a friend or family member could stop at Walmart and pick up an FRS handheld and still be able to communicate with your GMRS system. They won't have the range you do, but at least they can check in or ask for directions.
I think you are spot on with your thinking that everyone needs a gmrs radio, allowing others to talk in an emergency. I'm not sure there will be cell phone connection in a man made emergency. In a man made emergency, cell phones will be the first to go.
Even just traveling around I will lose my cellphone signal. If I have to leave my home having a radio that I can talk to my family with will make life easier and give me better peace of mind knowing they are alright.
Ive got my ham license and gmrs license too. But like you said, not many ham operators around me. I use my gmrs on the farm, hunting and alot of other situations. Not to mention when we lose power, which happens frequently...
I also like that anyone can go buy a radio from Walmart and can join the conversation. For me GMRS just makes more sense.
I can see these coming in pretty handy thanx for the info on this stuff
I like having them. It's one of those things I'm glad I have them for next time but I really hope there is no next time.
As someone who has gotten stuck in the woods in an area without cellphone coverage, a radio would have been nice.
I always keep a radio in my vehicle when I'm camping. I also make sure to turn it on at night and scan through the channels for a while just to make sure no one is lost and looking for help.
I have a Baofeng UV-5R That I use to monitor maritime operations here in Wellington NZ, as well as maritime weather, and other channels that have not yet gone digital. As I don't have a HAM license, its use if fairly limited for me, but can be used in emergency situations by unlicensed people. I'm still not sure if I can truly justify getting it, but there you go.
I have three UV-5R radios that I have programmed for emergency use. If things go south I will grab the Ham radios instead of the GMRS. For right now the GMRS will do everything I need them to do and I can stay 100% legal but like I said once things get too far gone the Ham radios will be my main radios.
Am I correct in understanding that a cell phone repeater tower is just as susceptible to the power going out as anyone? Wouldn't that render the primary function of a cell phone useless for information?
If the power goes out across a large area, there won't be any service from any available towers. However, if you can get a signal from other towers further away you can still get basic information. The main advantage of radios is they will work radio to radio without a tower. The range is extremely limited compared to using a cellphone but it's better than nothing.
Okay, perfect timing!!! My daughter wanted to know what I wanted for Father's day. I told her that I wanted that kind of radio.! So I am waiting for them to come in. What did you have to do to get your license? Thanks
To get a GMRS license you just have to pay the $35. It's just like a fishing license only it's good for 10 years. The hardest part is getting through the FCC website. A UA-cam channel I've been watching a lot lately has a blog post about how to get the license. The walkthrough is a little dated but it really helps a ton. www.notarubicon.com/how-to-get-a-gmrs-license-easy-guide-to-gmrs-licensing-on-the-fcc-website/ This link to his website that helped me get my license.
Thanks, Be safe!!!